There is nothing in the universe like water. It is unique, a chemical anomaly, and without it there could be no life on earth. It is little wonder that for thousands of years people the world over have expressed awe, delight, and reverence for this life-giving and mysterious substance. The Bird in the Waterfall is a celebration of the wonders of water and a lively foray into the natural history of rivers, lakes, and oceans. With engaging text and illustrations, author Jerry Dennis and illustrator Glenn Wolff explore waterfalls and seeping springs, oceans waves and tidal bores, whirligig beetles and torrent ducks, mermaids and manatees. The Bird in the Waterfall blends interesting and unusual scientific research with historical anecdotes, mariner's tales, folklore, and personal observations to address dozens of age-old aquatic mysteries. At the heart of The Bird in the Waterfall is a passionate appreciation for the magic, music, and poetry of water, and an appeal for the protection of this most precious of the earth's resources. Nature writer Dennis (It's Raining Frogs and Fishes, HarperCollins, 1993) conveys his deep feelings for all aspects of the aquatic realm. Personal experiences, scientific explanations, mythology, folklore, and history are brought together in his discussion of the earth's water system, the chemical and physical properties of water, the characteristics of bodies of fresh and salt water, and marine life in all its forms. Dennis also traces the influence of oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes on human activity and development. This pleasant potpourri is enriched with line drawings and will be of interest to general readers, though it cannot be considered an essential purchase. (Index not seen.)?Judith Barnett, Univ. of Rhode Island, Kingston Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. Dennis, a frequent contributor to Smithsonian and Wildlife Conservation , lives near Lake Michigan and has always been curious about bodies of water. He shares his fascination while discussing why water changes color, how dowsing locates subterranean springs, what causes ocean currents, how a lake freezes, and why rivers meander. Contrary to what seems most logical, rivers meander because flowing water seeks consistency and tries to deepen shallows, fill in deep spots, and smooth out rapids and waterfalls. Dennis also describes the organisms that live in water: algae and bacteria that give color to the hot springs in Yellowstone National Park; North American dippers and torrent ducks of the Andes that thrive in rushing white water; pupfishes that can survive in hot water up to 113 degrees; and flamingos whose specialized beaks are adept at filtering algae and diatoms from the saline and soda lakes in which they feed. This delightful book about watery places and the life therein contains 79 line drawings by Glenn Wolff, who has collaborated with Dennis on other projects. Jennifer Henderson "A delightful book about watery places and the life therein." -- --Booklist Jerry Dennis writes frequently about nature for such publications as Smithsonian and Outdoor Life and pens the "Natural Enquirer" column in Wildlife Conservation magazine. His previous books, It's Raining Frogs and Fishes and A Place on the Water , have received wide acclaim and have been translated into four languages. He lives with his wife and two sons in a century-old farmhouse near the shore of Lake Michigan.